At just five weeks old little Jamie Sinclair has had an early introduction to politics.
While many a dummy has been spat out and toys thrown from prams at Fife Council meetings, the tot is reckoned to be the youngest person ever round the table.
He joined his mum Councillor Fay Sinclair at the meeting of the council’s Dunfermline area committee in Dunfermline City Chambers.
Whilst she and her colleagues debated topics such as Abbeyview Community Centre, little Jamie snoozed quietly in his mum’s arms.
It was Fay’s first meeting as a councillor since giving birth to her third son and she was delighted to be able to take him along.
She also hopes his attendance will show that service in local politics and family life do mix and inspire other women to enter politics.
Fay, who represents Dunfermline South, said: “It is really important to me to be able to continue to do the job I was elected to and it is thanks to the support of my colleagues, particularly Councillor Brian Goodall, that I’ve been able to participate so fully so quickly after having my baby.
“Jamie has, along with my other two sons, already attended several galas and community events but this was his first committee meeting.
“Thankfully he didn’t feel the need to contribute to the discussions and stayed blissfully quiet throughout!”
While pregnant with Jamie, Fay, the SNP’s senior spokesperson for education and early years on the council, persuaded the council to encourage a more family-friendly environment for elected members, including allowing them to conduct their duties fully while having the care of a baby and welcoming breastfeeding in council meetings.
She said: “Getting cross-party backing from the full council earlier this year to support councillors in carrying out their duties as elected members while caring for a baby meant I felt comfortable enough to breastfeed in the chamber and didn’t have to step out of the meeting at all, with Jamie barely making a peep.
“I hope that by showing it is possible to balance the responsibilities of caring for a young family with being a councillor we might see more women coming forward to seek election next May.”